HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has urged the Việt Nam Red Cross Society (VNRC) and its members to continuously expand their humanitarian role and value in the domestic and international communities.

Đam said this at a meeting in Hà Nội on Wednesday to mark the 60th anniversary of VNRC’s membership of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

“We’ve often seen images of VNRC and its members not only in situations of war and natural disasters, but also during blood donation, livelihood and after-disaster rehabilitation,” Đam said.

“The society has made its mark in most of the country’s regions and development history. Side by side with the Party and Government, VNRC has been an active member in humanitarian movements in Việt Nam and the world,” the deputy PM said.

Praising the contribution of VNRC and its members in humanitarian activities over the past years, Deputy PM Đam suggested the society continue to strengthen its role and position in the country and in international communities.

Speaking at the event, Beat Schweizer, head of Regional Delegation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC), said VNRC played a very active role in regional and worldwide activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

“Việt Nam has unfortunately significant experience in dealing with the consequences of armed conflict and natural disasters. This experience can be very valuable for Red Cross activities in other parts of the world,” Schweizer said.

Schweizer encouraged VNRC to further strengthen its active co-operation within the movement, adding that Việt Nam can count on ICRC’s support to respond to all kinds of disasters and further its capacity to provide assistance to those in need.

“We are looking forward to co-operating with the leadership of VNRC to strengthen its legal basis and the protection of the emblem of the Red Cross in Việt Nam,” Schweizer added.

VNRC President Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu said VNRC had made great contributions to the two resistant wars and the country’s socio-economy development cause over the past 60 years.

Thu said VNRC will focus its activities on enhancing its organisation capacity, improving communication activities and reforming methods of mobilisation of sources of help and programme implementation, such as first aid, blood donation and care of the elderly.

The society will also expand its cooperation activities with local and international organisations in humanitarian programmes and propose proper policies and mechanisms to the Party and Government following seven basic principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. — VNS